Sefer ha-Ikkarim
Encyclopedia
Sefer ha-Ikkarim is a fifteenth century work by rabbi Joseph Albo
, a student of Crescas
. It is an eclectic, popular work, whose central task is the exposition of the principles of Judaism
.
Agreeing with Simeon ben Joseph of Lunel (i.e.: Duran
), Albo held that there are three basic principles (ikkarim) that are necessary for the divine law to exist:
From these three principles, Albo posited that there are eight derivative principles (shorashim):
The denial of these principles, no less than the denial of the first three, makes one a heretic (kofer be-ikkar). It is understood in Albo's work that there are three kinds of law: natural law, conventional law, and divine law. Natural law is the same for all persons, times, and places; conventional law is ordered by a wise judge in accord with reason; divine law is given by God through a prophet.
Joseph Albo
Joseph Albo was a Jewish philosopher and rabbi who lived in Spain during the fifteenth century, known chiefly as the author of Sefer ha-Ikkarim , the classic work on the fundamentals of Judaism.-Early life:Albo's birthplace is generally assumed to be Monreal, a town in Aragon...
, a student of Crescas
Crescas
Crescas is a Jewish family name. There have been a number of scholars and rabbis sharing that surname, including:* Abiathar Crescas, a 15th-century Jewish physician and astrologer, doctor to King John II of Aragon * Astruc Don Crescas...
. It is an eclectic, popular work, whose central task is the exposition of the principles of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
.
Agreeing with Simeon ben Joseph of Lunel (i.e.: Duran
Durán
Durán or Duran is the Hispanic version of the French surname Durand which originated in Gers near Toulouse, France during the 13th century.- People :* Carolus-Duran, French painter* Cassius Duran, Brazilian diver...
), Albo held that there are three basic principles (ikkarim) that are necessary for the divine law to exist:
- the existence of God,
- the revelation of God,
- the reward and punishment of God.
From these three principles, Albo posited that there are eight derivative principles (shorashim):
- From the existence of God derives the principle of God's unity
- From the existence of God derives the principle of God's incorporeality
- From the existence of God derives the principle of God's timelessness
- From the existence of God derives the principle of God's perfection
- From the revelation of God derives the principle of G-d's omniscience
- From the revelation of God derives the principle of G-d's prophecy
- From the revelation of God derives the principle of the authentication of God's prophet
- From the reward and punishment of God derives the principle of individual providence.
The denial of these principles, no less than the denial of the first three, makes one a heretic (kofer be-ikkar). It is understood in Albo's work that there are three kinds of law: natural law, conventional law, and divine law. Natural law is the same for all persons, times, and places; conventional law is ordered by a wise judge in accord with reason; divine law is given by God through a prophet.